XP5 MKII Preamplifier, vacuum tubes/pure class A
Why a new MKII version?
The new MKII version of the Extraudio has 21 improvements compared to the previous version MKI.
These improvements include higher sound quality thanks to an improvement in input impedance and circuit topology, which allows for greater purity, transparency, and musical scene. Additionally, silence, musicality, and instrument timbre have been improved in the reproduction of musical recordings, allowing music to flow even more.
The capacitance of the power supply has also been increased, audio tracks have been shortened to further improve audio signal passage, and the number of volume control steps has been increased (128 steps) for greater precision. Finally, the battery life of the remote control has been improved thanks to firmware changes.
These improvements together allow users to enjoy the musical experience even more.
NOTE:
Optionally, at an extra cost, optional phono preamplifier for MM/MC cartridges providing greater gain, dynamics, and much more precise and organic sound reproduction of your vinyl records.
Importance of the preamplifier
The new XP5 is our definitive line preamplifier, the fruit of 14 years of history in research and development, and innovation.
In the XP5 we have used all our experience and knowledge, mixing old and new technologies as always, achieving a mix of both worlds creating an absolute, different and complete product.
When incorporating our XP5 line preamplifier into any high-end sound system, an immediate improvement is appreciated that convinces and surprises in seconds. The speed and reality of the restitution of the sound recording through the circuitry of the XP5 is enhanced and represented in an accurate and captivating way before us.
The XP5 line preamplifier is the ideal complement to our new XP-A1500 dual-mono power amp as the preamplifier and power amp has been created to play together perfectly.
All this together has given the result we were looking for, a direct, honest, and sincere sound; an unrivaled flat frequency response at +0db from 10Hz to 250Khz and -1db from 1Hz to 1Mhz, an unusual response in this type of product causing a totally faithful reproduction effect of the recorded music that captures our attention immediately, the result is impressive.
The XP5 line preamp packs a punch, excellent control of the bass midrange, and all the details; all this within a very high-frequency response, with incredible spatiality and total transparency. All frequencies are perfectly defined and separated from each other creating a soundstage identical to the original recording. A direct sound with perfect dynamics and pitch, true sustain and tempo of musical notes, and exceptional musicality.
Since the start of the Extraudio project, we have worked on compatibility with other brands and products, studying the different characteristics, impedances, and synergies between these products and ours. After many tests and measurements, we have found that our XP5 line preamplifier, regardless of whether it is used with our power amplifier or any other, contributes much, much more to the reproduction than other products, which lose or fail to perfectly define the music.
One of the main features of the XP5 preamplifier is that the electronics disappear and make way for the beauty of the music. The only thing left in your listening room is not your audio system, but the musicians more real and present than ever. This is a unique listening experience.
The Xp5 allows you to perceive every detail of the recording and rediscover all your favorite records, in short, enjoy music with senses.
Volume control
The line preamplifier is the key piece of an audio system, at Extraudio we firmly believe that 90% of the sound of a good system is created in the preamplifier section, also in this new preamplifier we have arranged the volume control on the output of the preamplification circuit managing to increase all the parameters, gaining in quality, gain, and silence. In the Extraudio XP5, we use a very low tolerance, airtight, dual-channel potentiometer for a great stereo feel and spatiality.
Electronics
This new XP5 preamplifier uses for the first time in Extraudio an interference attenuation circuit on the audio inputs and a buffer protection circuit plus an AC input filter to block EMI and RF interference.
The inputs are connected with dedicated audio relays to a single valve gain stage configured in pure class A, so as not to lose any detail of the music and maintain absolute silence because the music is just as important as its silences.
The XP5 preamplifier features two unrestricted output gains through our new differential circuit designed with gold-contact audio relays and one balanced output at 16dB and 16V RMS and the other identical to the above but in SE or RCA 8db and 8V RMS, the two outputs work independently and therefore can be used to connect two power amplifiers or a stereo power amplifier and two subwoofers, etc.
In this new preamplifier as well, we have created a new highly filtered, stabilized, and regulated high voltage power supply and all the analog parts are powered and connected to our unique medical grade sand core transformer without oscillations, the power supply is a double dual and therefore the preamplifier circuit works in real dual monophonic.
The other sources such as digital and control are fed with another isolated transformer, achieving even more separation between the analog part and the digital control part.
For this new product, we have had to create ad-hoc electronic components because the values did not exist in the market, through our calculations we have developed electronic components adjusted to the maximum tolerance for this new preamplifier, managing to overcome barriers and achieve a unique result.
The circuitry of the new XP5 preamplifier is also very special, we have shortened the passage of the audio signal, we have worked very carefully on the stereophony and the “analog, digital and ground” grounds as one more signal, we have separated them to minimize noise.
And finally, our printed circuit boards are 4-layer and electrolytic gold plated for greater conductivity and durability, this also improves the passage of high frequencies and greater bandwidth is achieved.
Construction and design
As for the design and aesthetics of the XP5 preamplifier’s exterior, we maintain the Extraudio style: minimalist, timeless, and neutral, application of the layers of paint where we apply our three black, white, or gray colors Composed specifically for us with ceramic finish and finally one or two coats of the exclusive “High Gloss varnish” mixed with bi-component epoxy for hardening, which is applied in a pressurized varnishing chamber.
Extraudio equipment blends perfectly into any home, be it modern or classic in style.
In the chassis, we have applied our construction experience, based on the use of solid 6000 aeronautical aluminum panels of the highest hardness and quality. This construction provides strength and durability to the product, minimizing vibrations.
The front aesthetics of the XP5 preamplifier have been designed in a simple way. On the front panel, in addition to the power button, there are two knobs: one for volume control and one for input selection. Linked to the latter are six LEDs in the central part with their respective legends, which, when illuminated, indicate the corresponding active input. At Extraudio we think that everything else should be inside the product, controlled by our software, and not fill the exterior with banal things.
Exclusive remote control
The XP5 preamplifier includes the exclusive Extraudio remote control, conceived from a different approach, looking for the user’s comfort.
Extraudio sought to offer a device in which battery life and operating distance were its main features. Both objectives have been largely achieved.
The remote control does not have removable batteries but integrates an internal battery that only needs to be recharged with a standard USB charger.
The transmission range is 20 to 80 meters, depending on the country of use and the electromagnetic or RF interference present.
The design retains the minimalist line, the hallmark of Extraudio’s products, based on Mies Van Der Rohe’s philosophy of “less is more”.
There are only four buttons: on/off, volume up and down, and mute. The concept behind this remote control is unusual, pursuing a more efficient and ergonomic creation. We stand for functionality and form in design and not banality.
A music box
The Extraudio XP5 preamplifier represents a milestone of technology at the service of the high-end audio user, reaching up to Megahertz at the high end of the frequency spectrum. This breadth of frequency response is totally unusual and is truly a superlative added value, allowing us to perceive the true intention of the music producer or artist when they recorded their music. It transports us into an overflowing world of aural reality, with unparalleled energy and dynamics, recreating an unprecedented 3D holographic sound stage, but all without causing auditory fatigue.
You won’t stop wanting volume to turn it up and turn it up!
“Enjoy your music with Extraudio products”.
Technical Specifications:
Designed and engineered in the Netherlands
Architecture
Ultra-high-end valve line preamplifier
2 × 6922 / ECC88 dual-triode vacuum tubes
Pure Class A valve voltage-gain and cathode-follower stages
Optimised 2026 Edition high-current valve operating point
Regulated low-noise high-voltage B+ power supply
Multi-stage B+ filtering with parallel reservoir capacitors and polypropylene bypassing
DC heater supply for the valve stage
Valve-buffered low-impedance RCA output
Actively buffered electronic balanced XLR output
Electronically balanced-to-unbalanced XLR input stage
Symmetrical C0G/NP0 radio-frequency input filtering
Separated audio, control and motor grounding architecture
RF-referenced audio ground connection to the protective-earth chassis
Hand-selected and channel-matched electronic components
Precision left/right channel symmetry
EMI and RF anti-interference AC input filtering
Extraudio RC2 remote control system
Adjustable front-panel LED illumination with memory function
Audio Performance
Frequency response:
20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.05 dB
Extended bandwidth:
500 kHz at −3 dB
Balanced input stage upper bandwidth:
Approx. 550 kHz at −3 dB
Voltage gain:
11 dB nominal
RCA input to RCA output
XLR input to XLR output
Total harmonic distortion:
<0.003% @ 1 kHz, 2 Vrms output
Signal-to-noise ratio:
100 dB(A)
20 Hz – 20 kHz
Dynamic range:
102 dB(A)
Channel separation / crosstalk:
88 dB @ 1 kHz
Balanced Input Stage
Input architecture:
Electronically balanced differential input
Balanced-to-unbalanced conversion gain:
−6 dB
Input polarity:
XLR pin 2: positive / HOT
XLR pin 3: negative / COLD
XLR pin 1: chassis / ground
Frequency response:
20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.05 dB
Upper −3 dB bandwidth:
Approx. 550 kHz
RF filtering:
Symmetrical C0G/NP0 filtering on both input phases
Input Sensitivity
Unbalanced RCA input:
Approx. 560 mVrms for 2 Vrms RCA output
Balanced XLR input:
Approx. 1.12 Vrms differential for 4 Vrms differential XLR output
RCA input for maximum output:
Approx. 2.25 Vrms for 8 Vrms RCA output
XLR input for maximum output:
Approx. 4.5 Vrms differential for 16 Vrms differential XLR output
Maximum Level Capability
Input overload capability with volume attenuated:
Unbalanced RCA: 10 Vrms
Balanced XLR: 20 Vrms differential
Maximum output level:
Unbalanced RCA: 8 Vrms
Balanced XLR: 16 Vrms differential
Input Impedance
Unbalanced RCA inputs:
Approx. 82 kΩ nominal
Balanced XLR input:
Approx. 40 kΩ differential
Home Theater / Processor Bypass:
Same nominal input impedance as the corresponding RCA or XLR input path
Output Interface
Unbalanced RCA output:
Valve cathode-follower low-impedance output
Balanced XLR output:
Actively buffered electronic balanced output
RCA output impedance:
Approx. 250 Ω @ 1 kHz
XLR output impedance:
Approx. 50 Ω per phase @ 1 kHz
Recommended RCA load impedance:
20 kΩ or higher
Recommended XLR load impedance:
10 kΩ or higher
Analogue Inputs
4 × unbalanced RCA line inputs
1 × balanced XLR line input
1 × Processor / Home Theater Bypass input
Bypass connections:
RCA and XLR
Analogue Outputs
1 × unbalanced RCA output pair
1 × balanced XLR output pair
Control System
Remote control:
Extraudio RC2 proprietary remote control
Main functions:
ON / OFF
Volume + / Volume −
Mute
Direct source selection
Front-panel illumination adjustment
Illumination memory:
The selected illumination level is stored internally and recalled when the unit is restarted
Front-panel illumination control:
Selected input LED
Extraudio logo ON/OFF button
Volume Control
Motorised analogue volume control
ALPS Blue Beauty motorised logarithmic potentiometer
Microcontroller-controlled operation
128 microcontroller-managed volume positions
Front Panel / User Interface
Optical rotary input selector
LED-based source indication
Adjustable LED illumination
Minimalist display-free interface
No display-generated electrical noise in the audio environment
Power Requirements
115 V or 230 V AC
50 / 60 Hz
Operating power consumption:
Approx. 20 W
Standby consumption:
<0.5 W
Compliance:
ErP-compliant standby consumption
Safety and EMC compliant
Mechanical Specifications
Dimensions:
44 × 12 × 40 cm
W × H × D
Shipping dimensions:
60 × 60 × 38 cm
W × H × D
Product weight:
15 kg
Shipping weight:
16.2 kg
Finish and Construction
Precision-engineered chassis
High-quality 6061 aluminium construction
Premium painted finish
Hand-assembled and individually adjusted
Electronic components selected and matched by hand
Precision left/right channel matching
Designed for long-term serviceability and upgradeability